Mobile phones have come a long way since they were invented in the 1970s. The days when phones were just used for talking are long gone. Today, people see them as mini-computers packed with a wide variety of features that can also fit in our pockets. They regularly help us with countless tasks and keep us entertained wherever we go. In fact, the modern mobile phone has so many different functions that some people hardly use them to call anymore!
That being said, to many people, all these new and exciting features also make the phones somewhat difficult to navigate. Some may get confused by what they can and can’t do. Whether you have just bought your first phone or are thinking of getting one, the information in this article maybe useful for you. So without further ado, here are the 10 uses of mobile phones that you can start exploring right away.
1. Easy and Reliable Communication
Let’s start off with the obvious one about cell phone usage — communications. While cell phones were first made for calling, the technology has since come a long way. Compared with when the first mobile phone was introduced, there have been countless features being added to them that help us make more efficient and reliable calls. And here are some of them:
Contacts
One of the first features to be added to modern phones — and possibly the most useful – is the contact lists. Ask your parents if they still remember the days when they have to remember their relatives or friends’ phone numbers. Today, when you get someone’s phone number, you simply just have to create a new contact on your phone, and that also becomes the profile for that person. You can then add all kinds of information about them, such as their first name, last name, email address, company, etc. Once you record their contact, all you have to do to give them a call is click their name on your phone and hit the little phone icon.
Merging and Group Calls
Another more widely-used feature is merging and group calling. If you want to join a call with more than one person, you can simply create a group chat on any calling app, or the built-in phone app, followed by hitting “call.” With this function, you can chat with as many family members, friends, or co-workers as you’d like — all at the same time.
Free Wi-Fi Calling
Last but not least, you can use your phone for voice calls, text, and video calls using Wi-Fi. That means that overseas calls can also be completely free if you have a mobile phone. Some of the most popular and easy-to-use apps you can download for Wi-Fi calling are WhatsApp, Skype, and Google Voice.
2. Emergencies
While phones may be expensive and secure, they also prioritize safety over everything else. Most phones are locked with a password, but you can still make an emergency 911 call from any device as long as it has battery. If you are ever locked out of your phone or have access to someone else’s, you can call 911 without having to get into the device.
How to do it depends on the phone you have, but for smartphones, you typically just need to swipe the screen to the right to access the emergency dial pad. If you have an iPhone, you can also hit the power button 5 times to access the emergency menu.
3. GPS
Another incredible and more recently-added feature on your mobile phones is GPS, or Global Positioning System. The function helps track the exact location of your phone in real-time. As some people may see this as an invasion of privacy, there’s the option of turning GPS off at any time. For most of us, GPS is good for giving us accurate directions on a map while we are driving or walking. In cases of emergencies, it is also used for 911 call tracking.
GPS uses satellites that connect to a small chip in your phone to provide an accurate location. The accuracy of the pinpoint can depend on many factors but mainly on the quality of the chip and the technology in the phone.
4. Using a Phone For Education
While some of us may dispute when is the appropriate age for children to start having their own mobile phones, in some cases they can also be useful for school learning. Whether you’re a college, middle or high school student, having access to a mobile device can help your school work in positive ways. And here are a few examples
Calendar Or Planner
When attending classes, mobile phones can help you manage and plan your day, month or year. Mobile apps such as the Calendar or Notes is useful for scheduling important events and writing down notes on what you have to get done.
Help With Homework
Phones are also great tools for doing homework. You may need to do research or search for information on the internet, and all of that can be done with a mobile device. Also, you can use things like the calculator that comes built-in to your phone for help with math, science, or other number-related homework.
Online Classes or Courses
While most schools have returned to in-person learning after the recent lockdown, there are still many high school programs and universities that are fully online. If you have a busy schedule or you think online learning could be better for you, there are a lot of options that can help you get an education right from your device. If you’re enrolled in school currently, you can also explore other resources such as online tutoring or academic programs that can supplement your curriculum.
5. Social Media Apps
While the opinion on the benefits of social media platforms to our society remains somewhat divided, there’s no denying that social media apps make up a large percentage of most people’s mobile phone usage. In fact, studies show that 90% of the US population uses Social media platforms regularly. People use them to catch up with friends and family, re-connect with old friends, or post about their life, with many seeing social media as a great way to share important moments of their lives, highlights of their days, o sometimes just a picture of a nice meal
In addition to personal use, businesses also deploy social platforms to display their products or services to a broader audience, reach out to potential partners, or update their followers on events and other activities. Here are some of the most popular apps that you can start using in minutes:
Instagram is one of the most diverse social media platforms as far as its users. People from all ages use it for all kinds of reasons. It is one of the main platforms that businesses use to garner the attention of younger generations as it’s very popular among the Millennials and Gen Z.
Instagram is equipped with many exciting features such as posting for example. You can essentially build a collage of all your favorite pictures from over the years. Another feature is stories, which are photos that can be added to your profile for a limited time and delete after 24 hours. Instagram also offers messaging, calling, and video chatting as well.
Facebook is one of the earliest and arguably the main platform that helped launch the social media era. It is very popular among smartphone users, with almost 3 billion consistent members as of 2023. Just like Instagram, which was bought by Facebook in 2012, it is also used by business as well as individuals. Facebook allows you to connect with people all over the world and join groups dedicated to different topics.
Facebook also offers what’s called Facebook Marketplace, a buy-and-sell service directly on its app and website that allows people around the world to trade their items locally. You can find everything from mobile phones and clothing to cars and motorcycles for sale on Facebook Marketplace. Many people regard it as one of the best platforms to find used and new goods or sell their own stuff.
Snapchat
Snapchat is more of a pure messaging platform compared with others on this list. This means you can’t create or find profiles that offers any sort of content to the public. But Snapchat offers a lot of unique feature, and one of them is the ability to quickly take and send pictures to your friends. You can also edit and save your snaps to your memories folder on Snapchat. This is a useful feature for those who may want to access their photos from different devices. Just log in to your Snapchat account and you get access to your memories.
Another feature Snapchat offers are Bitmojis, which is a separate app that allows you to create your own avatar and customize it any way you want. These icons are automatically connected to the Snapchat app so you don’t need to worry about doing that yourself. They basically act as your character while you use the app. You can also send them as little cartoons doing different things. In addition, they’ll show up next to your name on other’s friends lists, and they’ll be on the map when your friends look at your location on Snap Maps.
SnapMaps, another Snapchat feature, is a map that helps you track all of your friend’s locations. For privacy reason, it is optional and you can turn it off any time. But it can be a good tool to track friends or see where people you talk to are calling from. Some people also use it for safety reasons. The downside is that the map only updates when you open the Snapchat app, so it’s not always accurate about your current location.
6. Phones Are Great For Work
Just like we discussed under the “Education” section, phones can be used as mini-computers for different tasks. If you work from an office or you’re out and about a lot, mobile phones, you can use them stay connected to work from anywhere you are. Whether you need to contact employers, check your emails, or use mobile banking, there are many things that a phone can help with your work.
7. Telemedicine
Some of you may never have heard of this term before, but it basically means getting medical consultation using online technology. Telemedicine can help with diagnosis, professional doctor’s advice, or at-home treatments. It can also be used for physical and mental conditions or just simply to give you peace of mind.
This is most useful for people who need to visit doctors often or have chronic conditions that require constant care or medical attention. Their phones give them the option of not having to physically be at the clinics. If you think a mobile phone telemedicine system may be able to help you, there are dozens of great ones on the internet. But the best thing to do is to ask your doctor or healthcare provider, as they may have their own system they use.
8. Entertainment
Another one of the most popular reason why people use mobile phones is for entertainment. You can use smartphone for watching movies or short videos, listening to music, and playing games. If you are bored, a phone can be a good resource to keep yourself occupied and can even be a great source of learning. You can download all sorts of apps and games for entertainment on your device. Here are a few of the most popular for a smartphone:
YouTube
YouTube is one of the most versatile and popular video sharing platforms in the world. People from around the world upload all types of videos there including tutorials, educational videos, challenge videos, podcasts, gaming videos, music, movies, and much more. You can also enjoy one of YouTube’s latest additions known as YouTube shorts.
YouTube shorts are videos up to 60 seconds long that you can endlessly scroll down. These are very popular for mobile users who don’t want to sit and watch longer videos but still want to kill some time on YouTube.
TikTok
Speaking of short videos, Tiktok is an app very similar to YouTube shorts except entirely dedicated to these short 60 second videos. TikTok has recently begun allowing videos up to 10 minutes long on the app but most still stay around that 1 minute range. TikTok is a very fast paced video sharing app that will never leave you bored. So if you often have a few minutes to kill here and there, it may be worth checking out.
9. Managing And Sending Money
With your smartphone, you may not even need to carry cash or a card when going out. There are many ways that allow you to not only send cash from one person to another, but also spend money at retail outlets and pay bills like credit cards. Here are some of the most popular and user-friendly apps for mobile finances:
PayPal
PayPal is one the oldest and most popular platform for sending and receiving money online. You can download it as an app or simply use the website. All you need to do is just give out the email associated with your account as opposed to your bank details for a more secure transaction. PayPal may charge a fee when you receive or send money, but they are typically quite minimal.
Paypal also allows you to keep a balance of the money that’s been sent to you or transfer it right to your bank account, in addition to making purchases all over the internet relatively safely. You can use this to skip the process of entering all your card details every time you are buying something online.
Venmo
Venmo is very similar to PayPal. In fact, it’s currently owned by Paypal. While Paypal may be better for work or business use, many people see Venmo as simpler and easier-to-use platform for sending money to family and friends.
Apple Pay and Apple Cash
Apple Pay and Apple Cash have been used for a while to transfer money from one iPhone to another. It is special for a couple of reasons: it can send and receive money right from your text messages, and you can also use Apple Pay to spend money at many different popular retail outlets.
Many grocery stores, restaurants have started accepting Apple Pay. When you are at the cashier, you simply tap your phone to the reader like you would with a card and you’re done! While this service is exclusive to Apple devices, there are a lot of great alternatives for androids or other phones, although they may not be able to be used at stores. Some good alternatives are:
- Meta Pay (which can now be used with Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp).
- Google Pay (which also works with some card readers).
- Samsung Pay (for Samsung devices).
10. Phones Can Replace Other Gadgets And Devices!
As many of us have already discovered, mobile phones can replace a variety of everyday gadgets and other devices. Doing this have helped many people save money as it allow them to access a lot of different tools from just one single device. Here are a few examples:
Alarm
Every smartphone is able download some sort of alarm clock app from the Appstore for iPhone or Playstore for android devices. You can install alarms that come in all shapes and sizes with a mobile phone. From regular alarm clocks that simply play a sound of your choice at a certain time to wake you up, to alarm apps that force you to do tasks in order for them to turn off.
Apps such as “I Can’t Wake up: The all-in-one alarm clock” have a choice of activities you must do to turn off the annoying sound of your alarm. You can chose to do math problems, puzzles, or even scan a bar code for a specific item in your house to force you to get out of bed.
Flashlight
Most smartphones also come with flash lights built-in. This is incredibly handy as these gadgets are pretty bulky to carry in your pocket. Now, you don’t need to look any further than your mobile phone for a flashlight. Note that the power of the light will vary depending on the phone but it’s always bright enough for everyday use. There are many uses of mobile phone flashlights but a few would include walking in the dark, around-the-house use, and even for some cool photos.
Camera
Speaking of photos, mobile phones also include built-in digital cameras. While the camera quality largely depends on how advanced your phone model is, there is no denying that camera technology in mobile devices has been advancing rapidly in recent years. Some phones on the market right now are even good enough for shooting professional feature films! You can also get a bunch of different lens attachments for your phone’s camera if you like taking photos often.
Another very popular lens for phones nowadays is known as the fisheye lens, which can be clipped to your phone to take some amazing wide-angle pictures. Most phone lenses are pretty inexpensive, so you may want to look around on the internet for something interesting.
But They Can Cost a Lot of Money
Let’s face it, with all its cool functions, there’s no way that mobile phones would come cheap.
A typical smartphone would cost up to $1,000 (although there are much cheaper options for a basic mobile phone). In addition, there are many other costs associated with owning the device. These can be things such as mobile data and service plans, protective cases and screen protectors, chargers, etc. If you’re worried that you may not be able to afford the cost of a phone, keep on reading, we may have a surprise for you.
Staying Connected through Lifeline/ACP Programs with EASY Wireless
Here’s the thing, all of these amazing functions and features that come built-in to your phone have also made them very expensive — but don’t worry — if you’re reading this blog and you’ve decided that you really need a phone for yourself, here’s an opportunity.
There are a few government programs that are designed help you stay connected, including the chance for FREE internet data plan or even a FREE smartphone! Here we bring you two of these: Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). At the same time, we want to share with you how EASY Wireless can help you stay connected and lower your financial burdens.
What are Lifeline and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)?
Lifeline is a government program designed to make phone and internet connection more affordable for eligible low-income individuals and families. It offers a subsidy that reduces monthly costs for phone services. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), on the other hand, aims to provide affordable internet access, helping eligible households overcome financial barriers to connectivity.
Using Other Assistance programs for Lifeline and ACP through EASY Wireless
The good news is that if you are already on certain government assistance program, you can leverage them to receive:
EASY Wireless Unlimited Plan
- FREE Unlimited Data
- FREE Unlimited Talk
- FREE Unlimited Text
- FREE Brand-new Smartphone
- FREE SIM Car Kit and Activation
- Choose to Keep Your Number or Get a New One
…when you sign up for Lifeline and ACP through EASY Wireless. EASY Wireless is an established provider with a 20-year history of offering reliable communication services to thousands of satisfied customers.
Are You Eligible For The ACP?
There are two ways you can qualify for ACP: either by your household income level or by taking part in certain government programs.
Qualify for ACP
You can qualify for the ACP if you participate in one of the following government assistance programs:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
- Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
- Tribal Head Start
- Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
- National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
- Pell Grant Awards
The second criteria is through your income level. You may qualify if your income is under the amounts on the chart below.
Do I Qualify For Lifeline?
The eligibility criteria for Lifeline service is similar to ACP. You can qualify if you or a member of your household has participated in one of the following support programs:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Medicaid
- Federal Public Housing Assistance
- Supplemental Security Income
- Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit
- Certain Tribal Programs
You may also qualify if your household income is at 135% or less than the federal poverty guidelines. Visit their website for more information
Why Choose EASY Wireless?
EASY Wireless utilizes the same cell towers as national carriers, ensuring widespread coverage and reliable service. This means you can enjoy a seamless communication experience, even in areas where other carriers might face limitations. With EASY Wireless, you can stay connected wherever you go, without compromising on quality or reliability.
Over the years, we have assisted hundreds of thousands of customers in obtaining free wireless services.
How do I Get My Free Government Cellphone?
When you come to one of EASY Wireless’s retail stores, our customer service agent will help you apply for the benefits.
You will first have to provide identity proof with a government-issued ID. With that easy step, you can confirm your participation in one of the qualifying programs or your household income amount.
The following U.S. Government Issued ID can be used for identity proof:
- U.S. Driver License
- Certificate of U.S. Citizenship
- Certificate of Naturalization
- U.S. Passport
- U.S. Government, State or Tribal issued-ID
- U.S. Military ID cards
- Permanent Resident Cards
- Permanent Resident Alien Cards
You can show the following documents to prove that you are taking part in a government assistance program or use them as proof of active benefits
- Statement of benefits from a qualifying Program.
- Notice letter of participation, such as an award letter
- Program participation documents, such as a screenshot from an online account.
- In order to show income, you can provide any of the following proofs:
- Unemployment Documentation
- Copy of your State or Federal income tax return.
- Three months’ worth of current pay stubs.
- Veterans Administration or SSI benefits letter.
- A divorce decree or child support document that states income.
- Retirement or pension statement.
To see if you qualify for ACP, you’ll need to go through the National Verifier process. Since we understand that going through the National Verifier can be a bit confusing, our in-store agents are available to assist you. Just sit back and wait for confirmation.
You’ll be able to connect to the Internet right away and stay in touch with your loved ones. We can’t wait to see you and help you get connected!
Need More Than Just One Line of Service or an Additional Phone?
EASY Wireless is a full-service cellular store that cares about all of your communication needs. We have a wide range of pre-paid plans for every budget and usage requirement. Additionally, we offer a selection of brand-name phones that combine quality, reliability, and the latest technology.
And that’s not all – we also provide an array of amazing accessories to enhance your mobile experience. At EASY Wireless, we’re dedicated to delivering exceptional service and ensuring you find the perfect plan, phone, and accessories to suit your lifestyle and preferences.
